Bethania Mission House, Esbjerg
The Bethania Mission House, Esbjerg is located in the centre of Esberg, southwest Denmark. Inspired by Italian architecture, its main gable has a rose window flanked by spires.
Background
As in the rest of western Jutland, Denmark's Inner Mission founded in 1861 received strong support.[1] The movement was influential in temperance work, collective initiatives in rural communities, and efforts to reinforce the Lutheran tradition. Many poor people found in the movement a community where they could be on equal terms with more wealthy members of society, as it stressed the creation of Christian fellowship through a variety of group activities. The organisation's mission houses were used for Bible study groups, meetings and other activities for children, families, adults and the elderly.[2]
Architecture
Designed by Christian Hjerrild Clausen (1866-1941) in the Neo-Gothic style and completed in 1906, it was inspired by Italian religious architecture. Clausen wished to give the building added importance by employing a style normally used for churches. The main gable features a rosette window flanked by two spires.[1] Materials used include brick and sandstone. The building was originally designed to house an auditorium, a library and a chapel. Since 1989, it has been a listed building.[3]
References
- ^ a b "Town walk in Esbjerg" (PDF) (in Danish). Visit Esbjerg. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ^ "The Church Association for the Inner Mission in Denmark". Retrieved 10 February 2014.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|publisherIndre Mission=(help) - ^ "Missionshuset Bethania" (in Danish). Kultur Styrelsen. Retrieved 10 February 2014.